Jolie

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Nature hikes, learning new things, cooking and baking, teaching, cultural exchanges, community involvement, sustainability, living a happy life! ...

Description

Hey there and welcome to my page. :)

I'm Jolie --- a 26-year-old lover of travel/solo backpacking, meeting new people, food, culture, books, languages and the outdoors!

A synopsis of my life:

I was born in Osaka, Japan, but relocated to Eugene, Oregon, USA when I was 4 years old.

In 2020, I obtained my Bachelors of Science degree in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon. I have extreme passion for science, holistic health, research, environmental conservation, and sustainable living.

For many years, I volunteered for the American Red Cross on a first aid response team assessing patients in medical emergencies and was trained in CPR & AED - this further propelled me into the field of healthcare. I knew I wanted a life that encompassed both travel and medicine, so my dream was to become a physician in the Doctors without Borders organization.

My aspiration of becoming a doctor halted in 2020 when during the Covid-19 pandemic, I had a sudden epiphany to move to Japan.

To "discover my roots" in Japan in my twenties...

I had little foresight into how this decision would alter my professional career in the future, but ultimately I came to the realization that I just HAD to take the risk!

I lived there for the next three years, reconnecting with old family and friends and picking up various jobs along the way. I started by working for accommodation in hostels and teaching English in the day time to make a bit of money. In turn, this then led to some late nights in downtown Osaka mingling with others in Japanese pubs to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Through which I made friends, made friends with the bar's owners, which subsequently got me into bartending. I loved the social aspect of being a bartender - asking people how their day was, creating a fun environment to relax and socialize, making cocktails and learning about mixology (mastering the craft)... it was fit for me.
I dug my feet in a little deeper and found jobs related to hospitality. Began to work as a food guide around the city of Osaka, indulging tourists on a 3 hour long food tour unveiling the best dishes and restaurants around Osaka - my second home.

When I reflect on these pinnacles of my life I ask myself -- What'd I learn?

Take the chance!
Fear is a signal to DO something.

Living in Japan has become one of my most formative life experiences and made me a more independent, resilient, confident, and open-minded person.

During 2022, I backpacked through 13 countries: Italy, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Ethiopia, Greece, Turkiye, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Each place I documented things I had learned, new skills I had acquired, friends that I had made, and stories I was told -- one thing was clear: each person was stitching their own quilt of life, collecting patches of memories and experiences.
Each quilt, so unique in pattern and color like the anecdotes I was hearing from people young and old, in countries with values, beliefs, customs and traditions different from my own. From that point on, I made it my own quest in life to learn as much as I could from other people and this planet, through mindful traveling.

So now..

I am currently on an endeavor - taking multiple gap years - to learn, discover, aid, engage in different projects, and widen my horizon to become a better future healthcare provider and, in general, a well-rounded individual of this world we share.

I am most interested in humanitarian organizations/NGOs, cooking/cafe/hospitality, teaching/education, and outdoor/nature activities.

If you want to reach me!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolieyuki/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolie-jitto/

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
Teaching English and learning Japanese

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

Being an elderly companion

General Maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Languages

Art Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Some knowledge of:  

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

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Able to teach about:  

Teaching

More details about your skills

Creativity:
I enjoy being creative! I've done Japanese calligraphy and various art projects in the past. From making coffee cups and bowls in ceramics class in high school to making origami shadow boxes for an Art Gala.

Cooking:
I'm an avid homecook. I love tasting different cuisines and trying new recipes. Growing up in a Western household with Japanese influences (I'm half Japanese), I ate and learned to cook a lot of Japanese and South Asian-style dishes. Thai curries, Vietnamese Banh mi sandwiches, makizushi (type of rolled sushi), Singapore rice noodles, etc.
I've also recently learned how to make bread and pastas from scratch.

Teaching and tutoring:
I have experience in tutoring and teaching children, teens, and adults! I was a peer tutor in college for English, Japanese, Anatomy and Human Physiology classes. I have also been teaching in Japan for the past year and a half as a freelancer and through an international English school for preschool and elementary school children.

Customer service:
As a hotel receptionist in Kyoto, Japan, I was responsible for checking in guests, making reservations, supplying guests with amenities, cleaning and answering questions.

Tech:
Python 3 (basic knowledge)
Microsoft excel (advanced knowledge)

Age

26

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  No